Laguna Woods Municipal Code Ch. 6.04 Business Licenses

Footnotes:

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State Law reference— Business licenses, Business and Professions Code § 16000 et seq.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in, conduct, manage or carry on any of the following businesses, practices, professions or occupations within the City without first having obtained a license therefor in accordance with this chapter:

(1) Animal exhibition;

(2) Animal rental establishment;

(3) Bingo games;

(4) Business solicitor or canvasser;

(5) Commercial stable;

(6) Grooming parlor;

(7) Kennel;

(8) Pet shop;

(9) Poolroom;

(10) Public bath, massagist or massage parlor;

(11) Retail sale of concealable firearms;

(12) Taxicab stand;

(13) Figure model studio and figure models;

(14) Dance studio and dance instructors;

(15) Rap session establishment and interlocutrices;

(16) Escort, escort bureau and introductory services.

(OCC § 5-1-29; Ord. No. 24-04, § 3(Exh. A), 4-17-2024)

This chapter shall apply to each and every business, trade, occupation, profession or practice herein enumerated and conducted in the City, whether carried on individually or in conjunction with any other activity.

(OCC § 5-1-30)

All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall be issued by the issuing officer, who shall be the City Manager or designee.

(OCC § 5-2-1)

The issuing officer shall receive all applications for licenses and shall provide such application forms as are necessary for the convenience of the public and the economic and efficient administration of this chapter.

(OCC § 5-2-2)

The City Council shall provided by resolution the amount of each fee to be charged for each application or license or both, provided that no fee shall be charged for an application or license to operate a mobile x-ray unit. Such fee shall be payable in accordance with the resolution and shall not be refundable.

(OCC § 5-2-3)

Each license shall be in effect for one year from the date on which it was issued, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the City Council.

(OCC § 5-2-4)

The issuing officer shall deny the application for a license if he finds:

(1) That the applicant does not fulfill the specific requirements for such license as set forth in this chapter.

(2) That the applicant has made any false or misleading statement in his application.

(3) That the applicant has committed any of the acts delineated in business and Professions Code § 480, but subject to the limitations on such denial as specified in said statute.

(4) That the applicant is not a fit person to carry on the licensed business.

(5) That the carrying on of the licensed business as described in the application will be detrimental to the public health, public morals or public order.

(OCC § 5-2-5)

Prior to issuing the license, the issuing officer shall make such investigation as he deems necessary to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements and qualifications for such license, and shall thereafter either issue a license to the applicant or shall notify the applicant in writing that his application is denied, setting forth the facts and reasons for the denial. The issuing officer may consult with and ask for a recommendation from any other City officer or Department prior to the issuance of any license under this chapter, and shall, at the request of any City officer or Department, supply such officer or Department with a copy of any such license or application therefor.

(OCC § 5-2-6)

The license and each duplicate license shall contain the date of issuance, the date of expiration, a designation of the type of license it is, the location or locations of the licensed activity, the signature of the issuing officer, and such other matters as are specified in this chapter and as the issuing officer deems appropriate.

(OCC § 5-2-7)

Every applicant or license shall permit the issuing officer access to any premises or vehicles used in the conduct of the licensed business at all reasonable times, and to any records required to be maintained by this chapter, and the issuing officer shall make such inspections thereof as he deems necessary from time to time.

(OCC § 5-2-13)

Each licensee shall display his license or duplicate license in a prominent location in each licensed place of business; or if there is none in the City, shall carry his license on his person at all times when conducting the licensed business; or, if a vehicle is licensed, in such vehicle; and each licensee shall display his license to any peace officer requesting to see it.

(OCC § 5-2-14)

Any person carrying on or conducting more than one of the businesses for which a license is required under this chapter shall obtain a license for each such business. Any person carrying on a licensed activity at more than one place of business shall obtain a duplicate license for each place of business.

(OCC § 5-2-15)

Any license issued under the terms of this chapter may be revoked at any time thereafter by the issuing officer if he becomes satisfied that the conduct of the licensed business does not or will not comport with the public welfare for any reason or that the same has been conducted in an illegal, improper or disorderly manner, or in a manner substantially different from that described in the application, or for any reason for which the license application could have been denied. The issuing officer shall notify the licensee in writing of the revocation, setting forth the facts and reasons for the revocation.

(OCC § 5-2-16)

No license issued under the terms of this chapter shall be transferable, and no such license shall be displayed or used in conjunction with any activity other than the licensed business or by any person other than the licensee or his employee, nor at any location other than that indicated on the license and application.

(OCC § 5-2-17)

The issuing officer may, in his discretion, upon the filing of an application for a license pursuant to this chapter, issue one temporary permit to conduct the business described in the application for a period not to exceed 60 days, if he finds that the inability to carry on such business because of the lack of a license would cause hardship to the applicant.

(OCC § 5-2-18)

Any person whose application for a license or temporary permit is denied, or whose license is revoked, under the terms of this title, may appeal to the City Council. Said appeal shall be made by a notice of appeal consisting of a verified, written declaration of the person appealing from the denial or revocation, to the City Council, received by the City Clerk within 30 days of the action appealed from and setting forth each fact on the basis of which it is claimed that the license or permit was improperly denied or revoked. A copy of the notice of denial or revocation appealed from shall be attached to the notice of appeal. The City Council shall, after hearing conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the City, and presided over by a hearing officer designated by the City Council to take evidence on appeals, determine whether the denial or revocation appealed from shall be upheld. The burden of proof shall be on the person appealing from the denial of an application for a license or permit. The burden of proof shall be on the issuing officer in an appeal from the revocation of a license or permit.

(OCC § 5-2-19)